Surfshark
Best-value VPN — unlimited devices, MultiHop, ad blocker
Score: 9.1/10Surfshark vs IPVanish 2026: Which Is Better?
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Quick answer (August 2026): Surfshark wins this comparison. It's cheaper ($2.19/mo vs $2.99/mo), has more servers (3,200+ vs 2,400+), is registered in the Netherlands (better privacy jurisdiction than the US-based IPVanish), and includes MultiHop double-VPN and a built-in ad blocker. IPVanish's edge is a SOCKS5 proxy and a longer track record — useful if you use Kodi or need raw connection flexibility. For most buyers, Surfshark is the better value.
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Some links earn us a commission. This never changes our verdict. Full disclosure →
TL;DR Quick Answer
Surfshark wins overall — scoring 9.1/10 vs IPVanish's 8.0/10. Choose Surfshark for better pricing, privacy jurisdiction, and advanced features (MultiHop, CleanWeb). Choose IPVanish if you specifically need a SOCKS5 proxy or use Kodi. Both offer 30-day money-back guarantees.
Surfshark
Established US VPN with SOCKS5 proxy and Kodi support
Score: 8.0/10
Surfshark
Better price, better privacy, better features for most users
→ Read our reasoning
Surfshark
VPN · from $2.19/mo (2-year)
Netherlands-registered VPN with 3,200+ servers in 100+ countries. Unlimited simultaneous connections. Includes MultiHop (double VPN), Nexus (mesh routing), CleanWeb (blocks ads and trackers), and camouflage mode to bypass VPN detection. Strong streaming unblocking for Netflix, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer.
IPVanish
VPN · from $2.99/mo (2-year)
US-based VPN (owned by Ziff Davis) with 2,400+ servers in 90+ locations. Unlimited simultaneous connections. Known for SOCKS5 proxy support (popular with Kodi and torrent users) and a straightforward app. No-logs claim, though US jurisdiction (Five Eyes) is a privacy consideration.
Verdict at a Glance
Both Surfshark and IPVanish target price-conscious VPN buyers who want unlimited devices without paying ExpressVPN or NordVPN prices. The gap between them is wider than the price difference suggests.
Surfshark's advantages: Cheaper on the 2-year plan ($2.19 vs $2.99/mo), registered in the Netherlands (stricter data protection laws than the US), 800 more server locations, MultiHop routing through two VPN servers for added anonymity, and a built-in CleanWeb ad/tracker blocker. Surfshark also has Nexus, a mesh-network routing system that's unique in the consumer VPN space.
IPVanish's advantages: SOCKS5 proxy support is genuinely useful for Kodi setups and BitTorrent clients that support it natively. IPVanish has been around longer (founded 2012 vs Surfshark's 2018) and has broader Kodi integration documentation. If SOCKS5 is your specific use case, IPVanish is the cleaner choice.
For streaming, privacy, or general-purpose use, Surfshark is the better value — both offer 30-day money-back so you can verify this risk-free.